Students from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, Sligo, and Scoil Treasa, Ballintogher, Co. Sligo, were among 150 or so talented pupils from several counties who took to the stage at the annual drama and music extravaganza, Coirm Gael Linn, held in the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo on Tuesday, March 3.
Coirm Gael Linn provides a platform for primary schools to display the talents of their pupils in a twenty minute show ‘as Gaeilge’ with a theme of their own choice that incorporates music, singing, dancing and acting.
Gaelscoileanna from Sligo performed next to schools from Leitrim and Donegal. Old themes vied with new, or sometimes, the old was embraced with modern interpretations.
Productions like ‘Madagascar’ and ‘An Draoi in Oz‘ (The Wizard of Oz), along with ‘Oilibhéar’ (Oliver Twist) from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré and ‘Willy Wonka agus an mhonarcha seacláide’ (Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory) presented by Scoil Treasa, Ballintogher, all brought their own colour, twists and turns.
Guest reviewer, actress and musician Mairéad Ní Ghallchóir, said she was wowed by the high standard of production throughout and complimented the hard-working and enthusiastic teachers from all the participating schools.
While Coirm Gael Linn is not a competition, special merit awards or ‘gradaim’, were presented for outstanding performances by individuals or ensembles during the shows and each child who took part was also given a little memento of the occasion to take home.
Coirm Gael Linn is a popular event on the school calendar, and a total of nine one-day festivals are held at various venues throughout the country during the months of February and March, in which almost 3,500 pupils participate.
